Wheeled push blade

ABSTRACT

A wheeled push blade device comprises a frame having at least one load bearing wheel, a push blade, means for adjusting the blade at an angle from the line of travel of the device, a moment mechanism located on a lower portion of the blade allowing the blade to pivot, and position correction device for bringing the blade back into the original position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Hand driven or animal driven plows for moving relatively loosematerial are known in the art. Some of these, as in U.S. Pat. No.830,871, utilize three wheels. It is also known in the art to have meanswhereby the push blade is at an oblique angle to the line of travel ofthe snow plow.

[0004] A plow having wheels which support the weight of the plow allowsthe user to utilize the majority of his energy in actually workingagainst the loose material rather than having to expend effort onbending, shoveling and lifting. This can prove to create quite a strainon the user's back, neck, and shoulders.

[0005] When shoveling or plowing away loose material the bladeoccasionally can drop into a crevice or run into a fixed piece juttingup from the surface and thereby bring the plow to a sudden stop. Thiscan result in injuries, particularly of the hands. Such jolts also slowthe progress being made in the shoveling.

[0006] There yet remains a need for a wheeled push blade plow whichprovides a handle for pushing that minimizes strain on the back, neck,and shoulders while at the same time overcoming the sudden stops thatcan occur when a crevice or other obstruction is encountered.

[0007] All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

[0008] Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary ofsome of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below.Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/oradditional embodiments of the invention may be found in the DetailedDescription of the Invention below.

[0009] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specificationis provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R.1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scopeof the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In at least one embodiment of the present invention pivot meansare utilized for when the push blade encounters an obstruction orcrevice.

[0011] In at least one embodiment of the present invention a wheeledpush blade device with a line of travel comprises a frame having atleast one load bearing wheel, a push blade, a box such that the pushblade is attached to the box, a moment mechanism engaging the push bladeto the box and allowing the top of the push blade to pivot forward, anda position correction device which provides for continuously adjustabletension adjustment and further engages the blade to the box.

[0012] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the devicecomprises a swivel allowing the box to rotate and thereby position thepush blade into different angles from the line of travel of the device.

[0013] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the devicecomprises an adjustment bar extending from the box at one portion of thebar and into positioning spaces at another portion of the bar such thatoccupation of the bar in different positioning spaces corresponds todifferent angles at which the push blade is positioned from the line oftravel of the device.

[0014] In at least one embodiment of the present invention there are twoload bearing wheels.

[0015] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the momentmechanism is selected from the group consisting of hinges, ratchets,coils, chords, pulleys, or any combination thereof.

[0016] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the positioncorrection device is selected from the group consisting of springs,pulleys, ratchets, elastic cables, or any combination thereof.

[0017] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the momentmechanism is a hinge.

[0018] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the positioncorrection device is a spring.

[0019] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the tensionof the spring may be adjusted.

[0020] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the tensionof the spring can be adjusted through the use of a knob or dial that canbe rotated or pulled.

[0021] In at least one embodiment of the present invention a blade stoplimits the action of the position correction device on the blade when inthe original position. The blade stop may be made of any material thatwould dampen impact such as rubber or plastic.

[0022] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the devicehas engagement members extending from the blade such that the momentmechanism comprises a rod which passes through through holes in the boxand openings in the engagement members of the blade such that the bladeis rotatably attached to the box.

[0023] In at least one embodiment of the present invention the devicecomprises a channel mechanism wherein a peg extends from the box into acurved channel in the frame.

[0024] These and other embodiments which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forminga part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be madeto the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described apreferred embodiment to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Referring to the Drawings, wherein like numerals represent likeparts throughout the several views:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back portion of the wheeledpush blade plow.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top portion of the wheeledpush blade plow.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top portion of the wheeledpush blade plow with the box and blade at an oblique angle with thedirection of the plow.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the back portion of the wheeledpush blade plow with the box and blade at an oblique angle with thedirection of the plow.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a perspective back view of the disassembled inventionshowing the top portion of the wheeled push blade plow.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of the box of the wheeled pushblade plow showing the dial.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective back view of the box of the wheeled pushblade plow showing its interior.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the back view of the wheeled pushblade plow with the box and blade at an oblique angle with the directionof the plow.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back portion of the box of thewheeled push blade plow showing its interior.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a side view of the wheeled push blade plow with theblade in the original position.

[0036]FIG. 10 is a front view of the wheeled push blade plow with theblade in the original position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] While this invention may be embodied in many different forms,there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments ofthe invention. This description is an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the adjusting bar 6 of thewheeled push blade plow 2 is shown. The bar can be from the same pieceas the box 12 or can be removable. Here, the bar 6 is fixedly attachedto the box 12 and has a bend 8. On the distal end of the bar 6 or at thetop of box 12 a stopper 18 is shown. This stopper 18 in this embodimentis rubber and limits the pivoting action that the position correctingdevice 10 (in this example, a spring) exert on the push blade 16. Therubber stopper 18 also serves to dampen the return of the blade 16 toits original position, i.e. when the top of the blade 16 is in contactwith the stopper 18.

[0039] In at least one embodiment the bar 6 can be positioned intopositioning spaces 15 of the latch plate 20 as shown in the embodimentof FIG. 4 or into positioning spaces between pegs 21 extending fromcrossbar 22 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5. In at least oneembodiment the pegs 21 are of varying lengths. In at least oneembodiment the pegs are progressively longer from inside pegs 21 tooutside pegs 21. In at least one embodiment the at least one wheel 17 isattached to the frame. The frame 19 is shown clearly in the disassembledembodiment of FIG. 5. The frame 19 has a front 19 a and a back 19 b. Inat least one embodiment the box 12 is swively attached to the frame 19at the bottom of the box 12 at swivel hole 11 shown in FIG. 7. In atleast one embodiment the box 12 is mounted on a swivel device of frame19. In at least one embodiment, the box 12 and the frame 19 areadditionally engaged by a peg extending from the box 12 that is movablyengaged to a curved channel in the frame 19. The channel mechanism mayprovide added strength and smoothness when positioning the blade 16 atan oblique angle. In at least one embodiment the blade 16 is affixed tothe box 12 such that the forward bottom edge 16 a of the plow blade 16is substantially parallel to the forward edge of the box 12. In thismanner the box 12 and the blade 16 can be adjusted to face an angleoblique to the line of travel of the push blade plow 2 upon movement ofadjustment bar 6. In some embodiments, the line of travel of the plow 2is the line substantially perpendicular to the front end 19 a or backend 19 b of the frame 19 and substantially parallel to the surface uponwhich the plow is traversing.

[0040] The tension exerted by position correction device 10 on the blade16 in returning to the original position can be adjusted. In at leastone embodiment, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the box 12 has adial 26 on its proximal portion for purposes of adjusting the tension.The dial 26 can be turned in one direction in order to increase thetension of the position correction device 10 (located inside the box 12)and turned in another direction to decrease the tension of the positioncorrection device 10. In at least one embodiment, as shown in theembodiment of FIG. 7, the position correction device 10 is a spring, thespring 10 is movably engaged to the plow blade 16 and to a threaded eyebolt 10 a. The bolt 10 a has threads that match the dial 26. As the dial26 is turned in one direction the threaded portion is advanced furtherthrough dial 26, and thus bolt 10 a is moved in a direction away fromthe blade 16 thereby increasing tension on the spring 10 andconcomitantly increasing the resistive force applied to the pivoting ofthe plow blade 16. It should be noted that the dial 26 and positionadjustment device 10 in this embodiment provide for continuouslyadjustable position correction device (i.e. the adjustments are notlimited to a discrete number of adjustments).

[0041] The blade 26 may be engaged to box 12 as shown in FIGS. 6-8. Inat least one embodiment, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the plowblade 16 has two engagement members 28 extending from the plow blade 16.The engagement member 28 may be formed integrally with the plow oraffixed afterwards. In the embodiment of FIG. 8 the engagement member isaffixed to the plow through welding. In other embodiments coldmechanical affixing is used such as a nut and bolt. The engagementmember 28 is designed to function in engaging the blade 16 to box 12. Inat least one embodiment, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 8 the blade16 may be engaged to box 12 by passing a rod 30 through a through holein each of two engagement members 28 and through two through holes ofbox 12. The combination of the through holes of the box 12, the twoengagement members 28, and the rod 30 are an example of a momentmechanism 24 in at least one embodiment of the invention.

[0042] With the plow blade 16 engaged to position correction device 10and pivotally attached to box 12, the plow blade 16 is in the originalposition as long as the bottom of the blade 16 has not encountered asubstantial obstruction. In the event a substantial obstruction is metwhile operating the plow 2 the blade 16 may pivot fully about the momentmechanism 24 as if the bottom of blade 16 had encountered a substantialobstruction. The blade 16 will pivot to varying degrees depending on theobstruction. In some instances the blade 16 may pivot such that the topportion 16 b of the blade touches the ground or floor. FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate the push blade plow in the original position.

[0043] The above Examples and disclosure are intended to be illustrativeand not exhaustive. These examples and description will suggest manyvariations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. Allthese alternatives and variations are intended to be included within thescope of the attached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein whichequivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

1. A wheeled push blade device having a line of travel and comprising: aframe having at least one load bearing wheel, a push blade, the pushblade having an upper portion and a lower portion, a box, the push bladeattached to the box, a moment mechanism engaging the push blade to thebox, the moment mechanism disposed at the lower portion of the pushblade thereby allowing the upper portion of the push blade to pivotforward with respect to the lower portion of the push blade, a positioncorrection device which provides for continuously adjustable tensionadjustment, the position correction device further engaging the blade tothe box.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a swivel allowingthe box to rotate and thereby position the push blade into differentangles from the line of travel of the device.
 3. The device of claim 1,further comprising an adjustment bar extending from the box at oneportion of the bar and into positioning spaces at another portion of thebar, occupation of the bar in different positioning spaces correspondingto different angles at which the push blade is positioned from the lineof travel of the device.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein there are twoload bearing wheels.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the momentmechanism is selected from the group consisting of rods, hinges,ratchets, coils, chords, pulleys, springs, or any combination thereof.6. The device of claim 1, wherein the position correction device isselected from the group consisting of springs, pulleys, ratchets,elastic cables, or any combination thereof.
 7. The device of claim 5,wherein the moment mechanism is a hinge.
 8. The device of claim 6,wherein the position correction device is a spring.
 9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the tension of the spring can be adjusted through theuse of a knob or dial that can be rotated or pulled.
 10. The device ofclaim 6, wherein a blade stop limits the action of the positioncorrection device on the blade when in the original position.
 11. Thedevice of claim 5 having engagement members extending from the blade,wherein the moment mechanism comprises a rod which passes throughthrough holes in the box and openings in the engagement members of theblade such that the blade is rotatably attached to the box.
 12. Thedevice of claim 2, further comprising a channel mechanism wherein a pegextends from the box into a curved channel in the frame.
 13. A wheeledpush blade device having a line of travel and comprising: a frame havingat least one load bearing wheel, a push blade, a box, the push bladeattached to the box, a swivel allowing the box to rotate on the frameand thereby position the push blade into different angles with respectto the line of travel of the device.
 14. The device of claim 13, furthercomprising a channel mechanism wherein a peg extends from the box into acurved channel in the frame.